In traditional Chinese medicine, the Seven Dragons treatment addresses possession. Rather than just possession by spirits, the person is overtaken by beliefs or emotions collected in this life or a previous one. They cannot live fully, and emptiness fills their eyes. They are separated from the self. My possession was anger. The anger was stuck in my abdomen, she told me. So, the Chinese Mrs. Kim silently said a prayer, and stuck seven points on my body with needles. Each needle resonated like energetic ripples through my limbs and torso. I began to relax, and think about my anger.

Drawn from Pegan beliefs, the November full moon ritual practices the art of letting go, entering the new year with less baggage.

Rituals come to us in various shapes and sizes, labels and religions. They range from a bedtime face washing routine to elaborate holiday ceremonies. In a well curated life, we draw and create rituals from our outer and inner inspiration.